CPJ: Bangladesh improves in journo safety index

Bangladesh appeared as 11th on the 2016 Global Impunity Index compiled by CPJ. The index measures how judicial a country is for murders of journalists. Bangladesh improved from last year by going down from 10th position. The 2016 index calculated journalist murders from September 1, 2006 to August 31, 2016. Countries with more than five unsolved murders appeared on the index. CPJ measured the numbers as a percentage of the population. 13 countries made the list, coming down from 14 last year. A map showing the locations and ranks of the countries that made the 2016 Global Impunity Index by CPJ The index showed seven journalist murders in Bangladesh over the past decade that were unsolved, meaning the murderers got away with complete impunity. CPJ categorised the murderers as members of extremist and criminal groups. CPJ identified the victims as secular bloggers and journalists who reported on drug trafficking. The only progress in Bangladesh highlighted in the index was the court order that convicted eight people for the 2013 murder of blogger Ahmed Rajib Haider. CPJ Global Impunity Index 2016

A safe or unsafe world for journalists

Cases are considered unsolved when no convictions have been obtained. Cases in which the murder suspects are killed during apprehension are classified as partial impunity. The cases in which some, but not all perpetrators are held are also classified as partial impunity and excluded from the tally. [iframe id="https://www.youtube.com/embed/keROoc1BDog"] Somalia topped the list for the second year in a row, followed by Iraq and Syria. The list was rounded up by Philippines, South Sudan, Mexico, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Brazil, Russia, Bangladesh, Nigeria, and India.

Getting away with murder: Impunity facts and figures. #NoImpunity https://t.co/BdDsFAKDBs pic.twitter.com/kPFF1z8Y0I

— CPJ (@pressfreedom) October 27, 2016

The index noted that the 13 countries listed made for 80% of total journalist murders worldwide. The index also suspected the Islamic State of 40% of the murders. Another 40% of the victims were also threatened before they were killed. In addition, 95% of the victims were local reporters covering politics and corruption. Only 3% of the journalist murders in the past decade were fully solved and prosecuted, reports CPJ.